Schenectady's Felix Rodriguez (20), center, fights his way into the end zone as Niskayuna's Ryan Feeney (56), right, defends during their football game on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at Niskayuna High in Niskayuna, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union) less

Schenectady's Felix Rodriguez (20), center, fights his way into the end zone as Niskayuna's Ryan Feeney (56), right, defends during their football game on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at Niskayuna High in Niskayuna, ... more

Photo: Cindy Schultz

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Schenectady's Trent Wheeler (1), center, gains yards during their football game against Niskayuna on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at Niskayuna High in Niskayuna, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Schenectady's Trent Wheeler (1), center, gains yards during their football game against Niskayuna on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at Niskayuna High in Niskayuna, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Photo: Cindy Schultz

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Schenectady's Hassan Rainey (7), left, runs the ball as Niskayuna's Nikko Sacks (44) gives chase during their football game on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at Niskayuna High in Niskayuna, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union) less

Schenectady's Hassan Rainey (7), left, runs the ball as Niskayuna's Nikko Sacks (44) gives chase during their football game on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at Niskayuna High in Niskayuna, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times ... more

Photo: Cindy Schultz

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Niskayuna's Troy Garr (22), left, gains yards as Schenectady's Alex Phann (9), center, defends during their football game on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at Niskayuna High in Niskayuna, N.Y. At right is Niskayuna's Lance Armour (36). (Cindy Schultz / Times Union) less

Niskayuna's Troy Garr (22), left, gains yards as Schenectady's Alex Phann (9), center, defends during their football game on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at Niskayuna High in Niskayuna, N.Y. At right is Niskayuna's ... more

Photo: Cindy Schultz

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Niskayuna's quarterback Chris Herman (12), left, throws a pass during their football game against Schenectady on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at Niskayuna High in Niskayuna, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Niskayuna's quarterback Chris Herman (12), left, throws a pass during their football game against Schenectady on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at Niskayuna High in Niskayuna, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Photo: Cindy Schultz

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Patriots peaking at right time

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NISKAYUNA — With the playoffs just a week away, Schenectady coach Jim Kramer's team is peaking at the right time.

After facing the Patriots' high-octane, quick-strike offense, the Niskayuna football team can bear witness to Schenectady's momentum heading into the Class AA playoffs.

Schenectady scored on its first four possessions in a 28-point first quarter and won its third straight game with a 49-20 win over Niskayuna on Friday night, clinching third place in the Liberty Division.

"I think we're playing real good football right now," Kramer said. "I think we've got a lot of different parts contributing and tonight was a real team effort."

Schenectady (5-2, 3-2) broke out early and opened the scoring on a three-play, 62-yard drive that took 52 seconds, highlighted by a 20-yard touchdown pass from Kwame Jarvis to Trent Wheeler on the game's first possession.

Following a punt by Niskayuna (3-4, 1-4), Hassan Rainey capped a six-play drive with an 18-yard touchdown run, his first of three touchdowns in the game, to give the Patriots a 14-0 lead.

"We had to come out and perform, simple as that," Rainey said. "We've got to thank our line, first and foremost."

Running behind the blocking of center Emanuel Zamora, guards Lasheen Brunson and Josh Fisherauer, and tackles Justin Richards and Tyler Depasquale, Rainey and backfield mate Felix Rodriguez had room to run throughout the game.

Rodriguez sandwiched first-quarter touchdown runs around a score by Niskayuna's Aidan O'Brien to give Schenectady a 28-6 lead heading into the second quarter.

"We have a fantastic line, they come out and perform each week," Rodriguez said.

Niskayuna managed to cut the lead to 28-12 when O'Brien scored the second of his three touchdowns with 44 seconds to play in the second quarter.

The touchdown, and the fact that the Silver Warriors were due to receive the second-half kickoff, gave Niskayuna a chance to take momentum into halftime.

However, Schenectady needed only 22 of the 44 seconds left on the clock to drive 61 yards for a decisive touchdown.

On the third play of the drive, Rainey took a handoff up the middle, picked up a block from Rodriguez, and dashed down the right sideline for the score, giving the Patriots a 35-12 halftime lead.

"That was a crusher, right there, to see them get that there, it was tough," Niskayuna coach John Furey said. "They have so much ability and they can do so many different things offensively."

Led by Rainey's 155 yards, Schenectady rushed for 320 yards in the game on 38 carries and Wheeler had five catches for 78 yards and intercepted Chris Herman's pass on the first possession of the third quarter.

O'Brien carried the ball 29 times for 127 yards for Niskayuna in the losing effort.